Current Scheduling Status
Year(s) and type of review / ECDD meetings
Drug Class
Recommendation (from TRS)
Substance identification
Vinylbital (INN, CAS-2430-49-1), chemically 5-(1-methylbutyl)-5-vinylbarbituric acid is also known as butyvinal, vinylbarbital, vinylbitone, and vinymalum.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Vinylbital has been classified pharmacologically as an intermediate-acting sedative-hypnotic barbiturate with a profile similar to that of pentobarbital. As it is a hypnotic, it is presumed
that dose-related drowsiness, vertigo, confusion, and incoordination can occur. The drug, like other barbiturates, is metabolized by hepatic microsomal enzymes and stimulates the production of these enzymes. The drug produces typical. barbiturate-like sedative-hypnotic effects on the central nervous system. As it is a hypnotic, it is presumed that tolerance, both natural and functional, can occur. Cross-tolerance may occur to other barbiturates, ethanol, and other sedative-hypnotic drugs.
Dependence potential
There is no information on the ability of vinylbital to induce physical or psychic dependence. in either animals or man in controlled laboratory studies.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
Isolated cases of abuse have been reported from Austria, Belgium, and Finland. However, a somewhat greater number of cases of abuse have been reported from the Federal Republic of
Germany. There have been reports of illicit trafficking from the Congo and of seizures from Finland and the United States of America; a number of criminal offences involving vinylbital have been reported from the Federal Republic of Germany. The substance is under national control in four countries.
Therapeutic usefulness
Vinylbital is used as a sedative and hypnotic and has the same efficacy as other barbiturates in this regard. The drug has been reported to be registered and/or available on the market in twelve countries. Over the past two years modest amounts of the drug have been consumed. The Committee rated the therapeutic usefulness of vinylbital as relatively low.
Recommendation
The Committee found that there was sufficient evidence that vinylbital is being, or is likely to be, abused so as to constitute a public health and social problem warranting the placing of the substance under international control in the Convention on Psychotropic Substances. On the basis of its pharmacological profile, and on the limited evidence of its dependence potential and evidence of actual abuse, the Committee’ rated the likelihood of abuse of vinylbital as moderate. The degree of seriousness of the public health and social problems was also found to be intermediate and its therapeutic usefulness relatively low. In the light of this assessment, the Committee recommended that vinylbital be placed in Schedule IV.
Vinylbital (INN, CAS-2430-49-1), chemically 5-(1-methylbutyl)-5-vinylbarbituric acid is also known as butyvinal, vinylbarbital, vinylbitone, and vinymalum.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Vinylbital has been classified pharmacologically as an intermediate-acting sedative-hypnotic barbiturate with a profile similar to that of pentobarbital. As it is a hypnotic, it is presumed
that dose-related drowsiness, vertigo, confusion, and incoordination can occur. The drug, like other barbiturates, is metabolized by hepatic microsomal enzymes and stimulates the production of these enzymes. The drug produces typical. barbiturate-like sedative-hypnotic effects on the central nervous system. As it is a hypnotic, it is presumed that tolerance, both natural and functional, can occur. Cross-tolerance may occur to other barbiturates, ethanol, and other sedative-hypnotic drugs.
Dependence potential
There is no information on the ability of vinylbital to induce physical or psychic dependence. in either animals or man in controlled laboratory studies.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
Isolated cases of abuse have been reported from Austria, Belgium, and Finland. However, a somewhat greater number of cases of abuse have been reported from the Federal Republic of
Germany. There have been reports of illicit trafficking from the Congo and of seizures from Finland and the United States of America; a number of criminal offences involving vinylbital have been reported from the Federal Republic of Germany. The substance is under national control in four countries.
Therapeutic usefulness
Vinylbital is used as a sedative and hypnotic and has the same efficacy as other barbiturates in this regard. The drug has been reported to be registered and/or available on the market in twelve countries. Over the past two years modest amounts of the drug have been consumed. The Committee rated the therapeutic usefulness of vinylbital as relatively low.
Recommendation
The Committee found that there was sufficient evidence that vinylbital is being, or is likely to be, abused so as to constitute a public health and social problem warranting the placing of the substance under international control in the Convention on Psychotropic Substances. On the basis of its pharmacological profile, and on the limited evidence of its dependence potential and evidence of actual abuse, the Committee’ rated the likelihood of abuse of vinylbital as moderate. The degree of seriousness of the public health and social problems was also found to be intermediate and its therapeutic usefulness relatively low. In the light of this assessment, the Committee recommended that vinylbital be placed in Schedule IV.
ECDD Recommendation
Inclusion in Schedule IV of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances
Link to full TRS
who_trs_741.pdf2.21 MB